I read a lot of books. Because of my love of reading and my desire to debate and argue about life-changing books, I began a book club with a popular bookstore in Washington, DC, MahoganyBooks. I especially like reading biographies and autobiographies; reading the life stories of famous and infamous figures often inspires me to exit and strive for greatness, or no less than gives me an idea of ​​the pitfalls that may occur to a person in the event that they make bad decisions.

In this respect, certainly one of my absolute favorite books is “Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones,” published in 2001 and written by Quincy Jones (in fact), who died on Sunday on the age of 91. I still remember reading this book for the primary time in 2003. I received it as a gift from a friend who likes to give books as Christmas gifts. I realize how much of an exaggeration it could be to say that a book modified your life, but in this case (and several others) it’s true.

Reading about what Quincy Jones completed and how he did it was so inspiring that as soon as I finished reading the 416-page book, I felt like I could do anything and similarly had no excuse NOT to live out all of my dreams. Quincy Jones has worked with a who’s who of American musical figures, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson and everyone in between. We have Quincy Jones to thank for Michael Jackson’s biggest albums, Off The Wall and certainly one of the best-selling albums of all time“Thriller”. Quincy covered jazz, rock, pop, R&B and hip-hop.

Most of us first heard Tevin Campbell on the household’s favorite album, 1989’s seven-time Grammy Award-winning “Back On The Block,” when Tevin covered the Brothers Johnson song “Tomorrow (A Better You Better Me),” modified the course of Black America. “Back On The Block” showed how adept Quincy was at adopting recent styles and genres, something lots of his contemporaries didn’t; The album’s title track featured Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, Ice-T and Big Daddy Kane. Quincy understood music and how necessary it was to include all musicians and artists.

While he likely didn’t see how his own musical compositions could change into a part of the backbone of hip-hop, Quincy’s work was sampled by artists starting from Pharycde, SWV, Nas, LL Cool J and Monica; the list goes on and on. Quincy’s work with Michael Jackson alone is enough to guarantee GOAT status, as he produced “Off The Wall”, “Thriller” and “Bad”, however the production influence on these albums helped create songs that may eternally remain in hip-hop. hop and R&B are truly amazing.

Lifestyle

Sure, those self same musicians could have found other artists to sample from to create their music, but would they’ve been as great without the muse of already classic, groundbreaking music? I doubt it.

And don’t even get me began on Quincy’s fingerprints on popular culture by founding Vibe magazine and executive producing certainly one of the best TV shows of all time, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” By creating platforms for the display and evaluation of black popular culture, Quincy was able to make sure that we not only told our own stories, but additionally saw them every week. Will Smith from the rapper Fresh Prince became the highest-grossing movie star in the world thanks to his appearance in the series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, the casting of which was prepared by Quincy Jones himself. And who can forget the theme song to “Sanford and Son”, also often known as “The Streetbeater”, arguably probably the most iconic theme song of all time?

Do you remember “We Are The World”? Yes, that is Quincy Jones. “The Color Purple” – yes, it was produced by Quincy Jones. Quincy was instrumental in creating a lot black popular culture that we still cherish it today. It is not possible to fully list all of his achievements; Quincy lived such a full life that in 2001 his autobiography probably needed a few hundred more pages. He survived the 2010s and continued working, making a sensation.

I often return to his book. When I would like inspiration or wonder if every thing I need to do is feasible and even price it, I examine a man who got into every room and directed a lot work that I do know and appreciate that I can not help but feel I can do anything. I’m grateful for a man whose life created so many artistic endeavors that shall be necessary to me until I pass away.

Quincy Delight Jones is a true music icon. We use terms like icon and legend very frivolously, but Quincy is each; his legacy has been cemented for many years. His contributions are being noticed and couldn’t be more praised. There are individuals who leave with still some work to do. Quincy Jones can have still wanted to do things, but he had done enough for a lot of lifetimes.

Rest in power, Quincy Jones, a true music legend.

Even before the Halloween parties were over, Mariah Carey, the Queen of Christmas, announced her return.

Just after midnight on November 1, Carey dramatically declared, “It’s time!” for Christmas and winter holidays in post uploaded to Instagram.

In her post, she included a black and white video showing the singer in a Gothic mansion. Dressed as Morticia from “The Addams Family,” Carey dances a tango with a person dressed as Gomez Addams before violently pushing him away. Like the classic character, she then grabs a knife and throws it at her on-screen husband, narrowly missing him, all before opening a closet to disclose her now-iconic Santa-inspired red fur-lined jumpsuit. The next scene comes into full color as Carey, now in the sleigh and wearing a red jumpsuit, exclaims, “It’s time!” together with his famous whistle. Her Gomez transforms right into a snowman, then the video ends with a scene of an icy, magical Christmas palace and Carey’s timeless holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas” begins to play.

Carey, for many the most significant person during the winter holidays, became known for her elaborate winter holiday announcements. So far, each has outperformed the yr before. In 2023, Carey has literally thawed out. This yr, she teased the takeover of the holiday season in one other video by showing the music icon aboard a personal plane. As the opening notes of her Christmas hit play softly in the background, the plane’s captain pronounces that they’re heading to the North Pole.

“Not yet,” Carey exclaims, then adds with a sly smile, “They always rush me.”

Since the release of her holiday single “All I Want for Christmas” in 1994, the song has grow to be a mega-hit, arguably becoming certainly one of the hottest modern Christmas classics. The song, which turns 30 this yr, reached the top of the charts in 2019 it tops the charts every holiday season. It can be the gift that keeps on giving; Forbes reported that the single earns Carey roughly $2.5 million per yr.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Carey has managed to show Christmas into a private brand. Each yr it pronounces recent partnerships with retailers, hosts an annual Christmas concert and more.

Featured Stories

This yr, Carey is partnering with Kay Jewelers and Amazon. Her special edition Christmas Barbie returned to Mattel and announced a special holiday collection of decorations and wrapping paper during the holiday episode of Drew Barrymore’s talk show of the same name. According to exclusive in People MagazineCarey has also partnered with Virgin Hotels to create “All I Want for Christmas” themed bars across the country.

The hotel brand has partnered with Bucket Listers to bring Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bars to pick out cities including Chicago, Dallas, New York, Nashville and New Orleans from November 15 to December 29.

There may also be holiday-themed shows with interactive attractions, reminiscent of a big wreath where fans can recreate the cover of Carey’s “Magical Christmas Special” album or write a note to the star on the station’s “Letters to Mariah.”

The pop-ups will serve a wide array of cocktails based on the Christmas Queen’s Irish cream liqueur. Festive drinks will include cane-coated espresso martinis and Irish coffee sprinkled with edible flowers. Customers may also have the option of a martini flight, a white chocolate glitter martini with candy cane, a cinnamon-spiced tequila espresso martini and a caramel bourbon martini.

Details, including the best way to participate, might be found on the pop-up’s official Instagram account, Mariah’s holiday bar.

The hip-hop community in New York and beyond, still reeling from the news of rapper Ka’s death, is now mourning one other legendary figure. DJ Clark Kent, born Rodolfo Franklin, an influential producer and club DJ living in New York who introduced Jay-Z and Biggie, died on Thursday, October 24. He was 58 years old.

After preliminary reports on Friday, Franklin’s death was confirmed on October 26 via post in your Instagram account.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the death of our beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the caption began. “Clark died on Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.”

The post noted that Franklin died after a three-year battle with colon cancer.

The caption ended: “The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and requests privacy as they process this tremendous loss.”

Franklin rose to the highest as hip-hop rose to prominence within the Eighties and Nineties. He started off as a DJ in various clubs throughout New York. From there he continued to climb before climbing the music industry ladder to provide for each Atlantic Records and Motown. As DJ Clark Kent, he was on stage for lots of the genre’s most significant historical moments and was at the middle of a few of a very powerful musical connections – the anecdotes he became famous for telling.

Franklin earned his stage name because he wore glasses just like the thick, black, block-on glasses worn by Superman’s famous alter ego, Clark Kent. He was also affectionately called “God’s favorite DJ“

The biggest hits he took part in producing include “Player’s Anthem” by Junior MAFIA, “Brookyln’s Finest” by Jay-Z and “Loverboy” by Mariah Carey. He has also reportedly worked with stars akin to Queen Latifah, Doug E. Fresh, the Fugees, Rakim, Ice Cube and more. CBS News.

Although Franklin often told others that he was born in his native Panama, he was actually born on September 28, 1966 within the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York Times reported. His wife told the publication that there’ll soon be a documentary about him and his influence on hip-hop.

Featured Stories

Following Franklin’s death, many individuals who remembered him or worked with him paid tribute.

“…A true luminary of the hip-hop world,” wrote the Hip Hop Museum entry on X about Franklin. “With a career spanning over five decades, Clark Kent was not only a DJ, but a visionary, producer and cultural ambassador who played a key role in shaping the sound of hip hop.”

IN entry on X featuring screenshots of Franklin encouraging her via text messages, radio and media personality Scottie Beam wrote, “I truthfully cannot put into words how much DJ Clark Kent has helped me and pushed me and so many others out of my comfort zone…using just that, for what we each absolutely stood for, which was passion.”

Others paid tribute within the comments below the post announcing his death.

“Clark will forever be a culture,” Questlove wrote.

MC Lyte admitted that Franklin was “the first person who believed” in her voice.

Stylist and designer June Ambrose wrote: “I’m speechless! Sending love and light to his entire family! We will truly miss him and honor him forever.”

Kid Capri added: “My brother is dead. It was an honor to know him. I will remember our conversations fondly forever. He was one of a kind, and the world lost one wonderful, peaceful journey, my brother.”

In addition to his wife Kesha, son Antonio III and stepdaughter Kabriah, Franklin is survived by two siblings, Eric and Kathryn Franklin.